March 2015 Vol. 13 No. 3

View from the Top

• Katsuhiko Shirai, External Board Member of NTT, Chairperson of the Foundation for the Open University of Japan

  

  Overview
  Japan is facing an aging society with a declining birthrate. How can distance education support our younger members of society, our future leaders? The Open University of Japan (OUJ) aims to provide new, high-quality courses through the introduction of cutting-edge ICT (information and communication technology). We asked Katsuhiko Shirai, External Board Member of NTT and Chairperson of the Foundation for the Open University of Japan, who has many years of experience in research and education, to tell us about OUJ’s approach to education and regional revitalization. We also asked him to share his thoughts on the role of researchers.

Feature Articles: Reducing the Environmental Burden of ICT Services

• R&D Efforts to Reduce the Burden of ICT Services on the Environment

  

  Abstract
  Providing telecommunications services requires a telecom infrastructure that comprises network equipment, air-conditioning systems, power supply equipment, access system equipment, and various other facilities. As a telecom provider, NTT manages the full range of such facilities. This article describes research and development efforts to reduce the burden placed on the natural environment by ICT (information and communication technology) services, focusing on what is being done by the NTT research laboratories and NTT Group companies as members of the Green and Sustainable Infrastructure Committee.

• Evaluation Methods of the ‘By ICT’ Effect

  

  Abstract
  As a step towards achieving the goals of THE GREEN VISION 2020, the NTT Group’s environmental vision for the year 2020, the NTT Energy and Environment Systems Laboratories has developed various methods to evaluate the ‘By ICT’ effect as a means of evaluating the effect of reducing the societal load on the environment by using information and communication technology (ICT) at the enterprise level. Such evaluation makes it possible to easily calculate the total reduction in the environmental load that results from the ICT services provided by the NTT Group by using business indexes such as sales and number of contracts.

• R&D on Conservation of Material Resources in Telecom Facilities

  

  Abstract
  NTT Energy and Environment Systems Laboratories has been focusing on the material resources used in constructing telecom facilities and is pushing forward with research and development (R&D) of green infrastructure technology for conserving resources in the design of new facilities in order to achieve a long service life, extend the service life of existing facilities, and renovate old facilities. This article presents a technology for diagnosing and evaluating degradation of buried stay rods and anchors to extend the service life of existing facilities, and a resource visualization technology that is relevant to recycling of resources when discarding facilities.

• Materials Technology for the Production and Storage of Energy

  

  Abstract
  Slowing the progression of global warming is an urgent task, and the NTT Group recognizes the need to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions that come with our corporate activities. Another important requirement from the viewpoint of the business continuity plan is preparing backup systems in the event of power failures that result from large-scale disasters. For these reasons, NTT Energy and Environment Systems Laboratories has been researching and developing materials for producing electrical power and fuels from natural energy sources such as sunlight and materials for storing natural energy to serve as a backup source of power during power outages. We describe here clean energy systems (artificial photosynthesis, algae, and thermal power generation), which can be used as energy producing materials, and lithium-air rechargeable batteries, which can be used as an energy storage material.

• Efforts to Improve Energy Efficiency of Network Service System

  

  Abstract
  NTT Network Service Systems Laboratories is developing network architecture and supporting technologies towards a future network that will enable a service-oriented platform and the creation of new value along with the Hikari Collaboration Model. This article describes our efforts in improving the energy efficiency of network service systems such as routers and servers.

• Issues and Solutions in Saving Energy of Optical Access Network Equipment

  

  Abstract
  High-speed web browsing and high-resolution video content have become commonplace for end users with the help of recent high-performance user terminals. However, this results in continuous increases in both the use frequency and the volume of data traffic in the network, so an improvement in the capacity of the network is highly expected. However, the potential increase in power consumption of network nodes is a serious concern, as it is already at a significant level in current systems. Therefore, much effort is being focused around the world on finding ways to construct the next generation of network systems without increasing the power consumption. This article introduces issues specific to the optical access network, which represents a significant part of the power consumption in the entire network system, and describes the contribution of NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories in tackling these issues.

• HVDC Power Supply System Implementation

  

  Abstract
  The high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power supply system is ready to implement and is expected to reduce energy consumption and costs in telecommunication buildings and datacenters. In this article, we explain the implementation status of this system and discuss standardization efforts. We also review the technical requirements and power supply system guidelines that were developed by the NTT Group to further promote HVDC systems.

• Development of Equipment for HVDC Power Supply Systems

  

  Abstract
  NTT FACILITIES is conducting research and development focusing on the introduction of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power supply systems to telecommunication buildings, datacenters, and other such facilities. Future applications involving the direct integration of renewable DC energy sources such as solar panels into smart grids are also in view. This article describes our work on the development, construction, and maintenance of HVDC systems.

Feature Articles: NTT Tsukuba Forum 2014 Workshop Lectures

• Future Optical Access Technologies for Flexible Service Deployment

  

  Abstract
  The direction of technical development in optical access systems has mainly been towards achieving stable Internet access at higher speeds. However, we now recognize that technology for higher speeds alone is not enough to keep up with a changing market. Flexible use of resources is considered to be a requirement for the next generation of optical access. This article presents an overview of this problem and other upcoming challenges and describes examples of technology that NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories is working on in order to come up with solutions. These Feature Articles are based on presentations made at the Tsukuba Forum 2014 Workshop that was held on October 17, 2014.

• R&D Trends in Optical Fiber and Cable Technology

  

  Abstract
  At NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories, we are engaged in research and development (R&D) of optical fiber and cable technologies that contribute to drastically reducing network costs. This article introduces the latest R&D in maintenance and operation technologies for effective maintenance and management of a massive number of optical facilities. It also reviews next-generation optical fiber technologies to handle the explosive future growth of data traffic.

• NTT R&D Activities toward Future Access Network Operation

  

  Abstract
  The Access Network Operation Project of NTT Access Network Service Systems Laboratories is a research and development (R&D) undertaking targeting a future operation system in the access network. This article provides an overview of access network operation in a future network slated for implementation around 2020 and describes related R&D activities. It also introduces various R&D efforts focused on the use of navigation technology for streamlining the execution of business operations without affecting the existing operation system.

Regular Articles

• Development of 100-Gbit/s Packet Transport System

  

  Abstract
  A rapid increase in the amount of Internet traffic is expected in the core network of the NTT Group due to the growing popularity of mobile and cloud services. NTT Network Service Systems Laboratories has developed a 100-Gbit/s packet transport system (100G-PTS) in order to increase the network capacity cost-effectively. Moreover, 100G-PTS also improves the operability and reliability of the transport system, which is expected to reduce operational expenditures. This article presents an overview of 100G-PTS and its technical features.

Global Standardization Activities

• Standardization Trends for Next-Generation Passive Optical Network Stage 2 (NG-PON2)

  

  Abstract
  The FSAN (Full Service Access Network) Group and ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector) are actively working to develop new standards in order to achieve high capacity transmission, multiple service capability, and flexible network operation in future optical access network systems. This article reports on the standardization trends of NG-PON2 (Next-Generation Passive Optical Network Stage 2) systems that are being developed under a framework of the ITU-T G.989 series.

External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings

• External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings